SHARON PERRY’S PERRY’S

STORY BY Cheryl Harewood

When Sharon Perry walked away from a top managerial post at a leading supermarket chain in April last year, she was saying goodbye to 20 years of dedicated service, even though she had not fully formulated what her next step would involve.

What this born-again Christian did know was that having lost two friends to cancer and with the news that another had been diagnosed with this dreaded illness, she wanted to immerse herself in the fight against cancer and see what could be done to further educate individuals, financially support those dealing with cancer, and generally lend assistance in whatever way possible. Worthy to note is that her “beloved Pops” (dad) is a cancer survivor.

In October 2022, that decision to help became a reality when the former St John The Baptist, West Terrace Primary and Queen’s College student launched Belle Perry Official, an e-commerce website retailing products such as sports bras and more for people going through cancer treatments. Proceeds from the products assist in the cancer fight.

The Christ Church resident graduated with an associate degree in information technology from the Barbados Community College (BCC) in 1994, and holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in psychology (with honours), from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

“Growing up I wanted to become a doctor, but at the age of nine, I broke my right arm. While in the hospital to get the cast fitted, I remember a woman came in with her jaw bitten through. I saw the blood and how badly her jaw looked. It was then I told myself I could never be a doctor.

“After that, I could not decide which career path to take.”

Having been diagnosed with meningitis at an early age, Sharon admitted she was always sickly as a child, so being around normal for her.

Her first job was in she and a group of young Hype magazine, which Barbados Advocate.

was still at BCC. She on to reach the status attendant with the new Carib Express, and remained airline from 1996 to length of time in business.

“During that time to managerial duties various managerial Sharon shared.

Those managerial working in the tourism a leading Michelin Star founded a number of the island.

One day, the opportunity to join the managerial Lane Hotel’s fine dining Coincidentally, there to join the management Centre Supermarket Sharon chose the latter.

Regular hours

“After seven years food and beverage industry, needed a job with more Well, so I thought. Supermarket hours are long and crazy.”

She joined Massy manager from 2002, last year.

She stressed, “I believe is a journey, so it was on. I also had to take consideration.”

Prior to resigning Massy, Sharon devoted to looking after her parents, when they navigated the first two years of also took time for herself resignation.

“I had to take time get my body and mind I was weary and my severe stress.”

She officially launched around doctors was in journalism, when young people started which appeared in the Advocate. Back then, she She would later go status of senior flight new regional carrier, remained with this 1997 – the airline’s business. time I got exposed duties and have held posts ever since,” managerial posts included tourism sector and with Star chef who of restaurants across opportunity arose for her managerial team at Sandy dining restaurant. there was also an offer management team at Super Supermarket (now Massy Stores). latter. years of late nights in the industry, I decided I more regular hours.

Supermarket retail crazy.”

Stores as a general 2002, until her resignation believe that life was time to move take my health into resigning and after leaving devoted much of her time parents, especially navigated their way through of COVID-19. She herself after her time for myself and to mind in good health. my body was under launched Belle Perry last year. It became a reality after watching a programme on ABC News which was being hosted by television anchor Robin Roberts. It detailed the lives of cancer survivors and “thrivers” who, were finding ways of giving back to the community and to cancer awareness causes. By then, Sharon had lost her two friends to cancer.

“One friend – a male, died in 2019 from prostate cancer. Then in 2020, another friend died from colon cancer.

She was only 50 years. In 2021, a close friend got diagnosed with lymphoma and had to go through chemotherapy and radiation therapy.”

Shaved her hair

As a show of solidarity, Sharon shaved her hair last April and again last month.

“I wanted to be her added strength.

I shaved my hair and started looking at various ways to help her and others like her.

“It was in October 2021, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that I saw the programme on ABC News. One of the survivors being interviewed was the owner of a company named, Anaono.

She had had a double mastectomy and couldn’t find the type of bras she needed to fit her. She started the company and named each of her various styles of clothing after cancer survivors.”

Sharon reached out to the company and was soon able to retail some of their products.

Now on the verge of commencing the process of registering Belle Perry as a non-profit organisation, she explained, “It is not my wish to get rich from this project. That’s not my quest. I just want to bring comfort to others.

“Unfortunately, cancer is an expensive disease. If I can find the funds to help, it will be a great thing.

“We (her team of six) also want to start a campaign this month, where we can let people see that bald is beautiful. In addition, we need to cater to children, so we are in the process of creating books, for example. Men are on our radar too, and since my first love is food, we will be hosting a Caribbean food show. We want to look at different cultures in the Caribbean and see how some religions create food. We will film the pilot for this show sometime this month.”

The entrepreneur said, “I hope to be able to help people with their medical bills and put some investment into cancer research, while educating people on the different signs of cancer.

“A lot has been spent on breast cancer awareness, but there are other cancers we need to talk about. Knowing the signs is key. Each individual must know and understand their body. Women should check their breasts at least monthly, and not only in October. People need to know that men can have breast cancer, and we must all realise that cancer has become a common thing – like breathing. You will always know somebody who has cancer or has died from cancer or it could be your personal fight.”

Sharon believes people should use some of their time online to educate themselves about cancer and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and that parents need to know the warning signs of cancer in children.

Through her podcast, this certified fitness and nutrition specialist hopes to bring more awareness to NCDs and healthier eating.

Her fight will no doubt be long, but Sharon is prepared to put her energy into doing whatever she can in the war against cancer and NCDs.

Daily she tells herself, “You may not change the world today, but you are working towards it.”

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Sharon Perry lost close friends to the dreaded disease cancer. She has shaved her head in solidarity with one of her friends who is a survivor.

Sharon Perry’s company, Belle Perry sells items for cancer patients and supporters. She said proceeds go

towards helping in her fight against cancer. (GPs)